Professional Setup

[Bradley]

Hey Guys,

I am considering sending or taking the Steffey down to David Harvey in Nashville for a good setup. I have never done this before to any mandolins but I plan on keeping the Steff for a while and thought it might make it easier to play.Not that there is anyting wrong with it now,I just figured a little tweaking might go a long way.

For those that have had this done, what all does the setup person do ? and is it worth the time and money towards the playability of the Mandolin.

Thanks in Advance

[Stillpicking]

Well I don't own a high end mando but I have been playing for a good long time and for many years I never would do anything more than throw a new set of strings on whatever mando I own at the time. I got back into playing on a regular bases about 2 years ago and pick up 3 new mid-quality mandos over the last 24 months. I had the first setup done and was amazed at the difference in sound and how much easier it was to play and keep in tune. I have done the same with the last 2 mandolins I have purchased and got the same results. Depending on what you have done and where you are having it done the cost will vary but well worth the money.

[Jasper]

I posted a similar thread a few months back...the responses I got were similar to the one from Stillpicking. It's worth the $75 or so was the consensus.

[Big Joe]

Yes...

[newmando7]

Hey everybody!.I have a cheap mandolin but at this time I have decided or my pocketbook decided that I will be keeping it for awhile so I looked in to having my mandolin set up by a professional.Found out it was going to cost me about 100 bucks or so to have it set up and also lower the action.So right now I am on a three week waiting list but it will get done.I have an added question to this thread.Do I need to have my mandolin set up every year or should it be ok for awhile after it is set up once.

[meyers]

does anyone know who would do a good setup in the New Hampshire area? thanks brett

[Stillpicking]

The only thing other than changing the strings is to check for fret wear. Each time you do a change of strings take a look at the frets under the first position to see how much of a groove or notch you have if it is really deep you may want to have the frets dressed but a lot of times you can let the notches be until you get a buzzing string. I have one of my mandolins right now with a few notches in the first position and no buzzing of course humidity will also cause a string to buzz as will other parts of the mando. I have heard that some players who are professionals dress the frets at least once a year or more. other than the above the setup in general should last you a good long time.

[MattyD.]

-I don't have my mandolin yet, but from years of playing guitar, having a setup done is almost a neccessary expense. It will take an average or good playing guitar and make it exceptional. Like I said, I don't have my mando yet, but the setup is included in part of the purchase price. Not only that, after having a setup done you can tweak it a little bit here and there to fit you perfectly. It will make an off the shelf piece of gear, YOUR piece of gear.

L8R,
Matt D.

[Lane Pryce]

Go on and do it. It will be the best money you will spend on your axe! Lp

[John Flynn]

A good set up is the cheapest and best "upgrade" you can do. I am amazed at how people will invest significant money in accessories like picks, arm rests, etc. before they will spend money on a full set up. Having said that, I want to add that while most people agree on what a setup entails, setups are not all the same. I have had good ones that made by mando play great and bad ones where it was worse than when I brought it in. When you find a good luthier, use them often and hang on to them!

[Jim Garber]

does anyone know who would do a good setup in the New Hampshire #area? #thanks brett
Try Acoustic Outfitters Music (http://www.aomusicshop.com/) in Stratham or Vintage Fret Shop (http://www.vintagefret.com/) in Ashland. I can't directly vouch for the quality of their repair or setup work but I have dealt with them on buying instruments over the years and they are both nice stores.

Jim

[Pete Martin]

YES INDEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[SternART]

It is amazing how little tiny variants can both have an effect on the sound and the feel.

[Scotti Adams]

Believe me..I have watched David Harvey do a set up on a mando...and its much more than changing strings and checking for fret wear. A good set up consists of fine tuning the bridge...David works from each side towards the middle..he will check and file the bridge if need be for right on intonation on the G strings...E strings...A's and E's. A good set up also consists of getting the nut at just the right height...not too high..not too low. Most new mandos have a huge amount of work that can be done in this area. Getting the nut at the lowest possible height without buzzing will do your playing and hand good. Of course cleaning the fret board and buffing the frets or even replacing frets are an option in a good set-up. Hope this helps.

[Ron C]

Absolutely do it, it will be the best money ever spent on your mandolin, a good set up will improve both playabillity and sound of your instrument. You'll get what you pay for on a good set job # # # # # #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[hungry mountain boy]

I am very curious about this also. I took my mandolin and my guitar both to First Quality in Louisville, he still has my guitar and plans to set it up. When I presented him with the mandolin, he told me the action was as low as it would get and that it really did not need anything. He also had just gotten back from vacation and talked about being backed up with stuff to do, so I don't know if he's just busy or not really on the level of working on mandolins that this thread is speaking of "professional". Can someone please tell me what exactly a professional set up is and is that something that is rare and not done in most music stores, is it something you have to find out about from people in the know like hear at the cafe. This guys name was Chris at first quality a very nice guy. I had asked in another thread about where to get a set up in central ky someone suggested First Quality and said they had some good People working there as if there were more than one, but when I called they refered me to Chris, so I don't know if things have changed or what, maybe if I had stressed "professional" set up they would have replied differently. Glenn Hurley (not a professional)

[brandon]

hungry mountain boy, My first mando was a cheapo sanota.....played like a dream right of the rack, so it's possible.

[Stillpicking]

The only thing other than changing the strings is to check for fret wear. Each time you do a change of strings take a look at the frets under the first position to see how much of a groove or notch you #have if it is really deep you may want to have the frets dressed but a lot of times you can let the notches be until you get a buzzing string. I have one of my mandolins right now with a few notches in the first position and no buzzing of course humidity will also cause a string to buzz as will other parts of the mando. I have heard that some players who are professionals dress the frets at least once a year or more. other than the above the setup in general should last you a good long time.
I think maybe someone got confused byb reading the second post and not reading my first. Yes a setup is more than what I said in my second post, my first post is really my point in regards to the general question. My second post quoted here was just a response to a follow up question reading "what do you need to do after a setup and how long would a setup last?

The bottom line is a good setup is worth the money. The hard part is finding someone who is interested in doing a good job for a reasonable price in a reasonable amount of time.

I found out that asking around with the question of who is doing what locally and did you like the result will give you your best options. I am lucky as there a a few good builders in my area who do repair/setup work as part of their regular instrument services.